Roux resigns from Lens
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Article summary
In the wake of his side's 2-1 defeat against RC Strasbourg on Saturday night Guy Roux has resigned as coach of RC Lens after just five matches in charge.
Article body
'Physical problems'
Roux, 68, emerged from a two-year retirement to take over at Lens in early June but until Sidi Keita's consolation goal in Strasbourg had failed to see his side score in four league games. "I've known for a few days that he wanted to resign," said Lens president Gervais Martel. "He did not feel able to carry on anymore, due to physical problems. Someone with such experience knows himself perfectly. He did everything he could for the club since joining."
'Lost impetus'
"I felt that I had lost the impetus that helps coaches make players better at the highest level," said Roux. "It's humiliating to acknowledge this, but I hope that my honesty will be acknowledged as well. It's better now for Lens if a younger coach takes over." The club expect to announce Roux's successor on Monday.
Auxerre legend
Roux racked up a record 894 French top-flight matches, 890 of them with AJ Auxerre, whom he took from regional football to European competition as well as the domestic double in 1995/96. Lens host BSC Young Boys for a place in the UEFA Cup first round on Thursday night after securing a 1-1 in Switzerland on 16 August.
